5 Strategies to Drive Business Innovation

5 Strategies to Drive Business Innovation

What makes a business innovative? What can you, as a leader, do to trigger innovation at your organization? Innovative companies regularly introduce new products/services and revise their processes to affect positive changes in their business. From shifts in the economic environment to market research insights, there are many ways to spark innovation. In this article, we’ll look at a few business innovation strategies you can use to generate innovative ideas to adapt or create your own business models.  

Business Momentum: Faster Isn’t Always Better

Business Momentum: Faster Isn’t Always Better

Is strong momentum good for a startup? How can momentum derail your business from its intended direction? All entrepreneurs are excited to see their venture grow. However, as your business’s momentum picks up, it’s easy to lose sight of which activities are worth your while. To ensure your business isn’t derailing from your intended direction, follow these principles.

6 Principles of a Healthy Startup Culture

6 Principles of a Healthy Startup Culture

How does a company culture develop in a startup? How do you ensure a healthy company culture in a new business? A startup company culture develops over time through consistent positive actions, not by installing foosball tables or espresso machines. Once established, company culture solidifies and becomes very difficult to change. Therefore, it is important to keep your eye on its evolution and intervene when necessary. Here are six principles to cultivating a healthy startup culture in which staff members do their best and enjoy their jobs. 

10 Essential Tips for Beginner Entrepreneurs

10 Essential Tips for Beginner Entrepreneurs

Do you dream of starting your own business? What are some things you should know before you take the plunge? Starting your own business to become your own boss is a dream come true for many people. The vision is exciting, but the reality is not so much: Running a business on a tight budget, making decisions, and being a jack-of-all-trades takes both an emotional and physical toll. From those who’ve been there and done that, here are 10 essential tips for beginning entrepreneurs.

The Co-Founders of 37signals Share Their Secrets

The Co-Founders of 37signals Share Their Secrets

Who are 37signals? What do the company founders attribute their success to? Co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson of 37signals, a company that creates project-management software and other online management tools, believe that anyone can start and operate a business with fewer resources than they think. Based on their own startup success, they champion a simpler, cheaper, less labor-intensive way to manage any company.  Here are 10 insights they gained while keeping 37signals intentionally small and lean.

Adopt a Supportive Leadership Style: Ask This Question

How to Embrace Vulnerability in Leadership

What is a supportive leadership style? What difference can it make for your team? Too often, managers control, micromanage, or rescue their employees. In contrast, a supportive leadership style wins your team members’ trust and respect—and it allows them to grow. The Coaching Habit recommends making a habit of asking one particular question. Read more to learn the question at the heart of a supportive leadership style.

The Black Hat: Thinking Like a Critic

The Black Hat: Thinking Like a Critic

What is black hat thinking from Six Thinking Hats? What type of thinking does the black hat represent? When should you wear the black thinking hat? The black thinking hat is one that many people are adept at using. When you wear the black hat, it’s your job to look for problems and flaws in a situation. However, this hat should not be over-used. Continue reading to learn when to (and when not to) use black hat thinking.

The White Hat Thinking: The Impartial Hat

The White Hat Thinking: The Impartial Hat

What is white hat thinking from the book Six Thinking Hats? What role does the white hat play? In the classic psychology book Six Thinking Hats, Edward de Bono describes the white hat as the neutral hat. The role of the wearer is to simply gather and present the facts and figures without interpreting any of the data. Continue below to learn how to wear the white hat and what the advantages are.